Sidney Brock Gates passed away peacefully on Saturday July 26, 2025, at her home. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend to many.

Sidney was born January 18, 1934. Her parents were Genevieve Kassler of Denver, Colorado and Sidney L. Brock of Oklahoma. She had four children with her husband Caleb F. Gates Jr. They are Lindsay Gates of Durango, Colorado and Moruya, NSW Australia, Caleb F. Gates III of Durango, Colorado, and Jonathan Gates of Montrose, Colorado. Her son Nicholas Gates predeceased her in 1984 at the age of 14.

Sidney attended Kent School for Girls and went on to attend Middlebury College, graduating in 1955. She loved Middlebury. It was there that she discovered her love of painting and art which she pursued on and off throughout her life.

Sidney and Caleb were married July 28,1955 and they lived in Denver her entire lifetime. Her volunteering career began at the Denver Art Museum, beginning with the Oriental department and then the Pre Columbian Department which sparked a few good trips to visit the countries of the ancient cultures she studied.

After Nick's death, she started volunteering at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver where she shared her love of art with the kids in after school programs. She then went on to serve as President and Chairwoman of the Denver Clubs. Sidney received a number of awards and plaques for her service and dedication from the Clubs and the boys and girls she taught and served.

Sidney was an avid golfer and tennis player. She and her doubles partner, Marcia, played many a tennis tournament together and they were known as Marcia the Masher and Sidney the Smasher! She also enjoyed downhill and cross-country skiing. Colorado's many backcountry huts were some of her favorite places to spend time with family and friends.

Sidney was also a superb and passionate fly fisher. Beginning with her honeymoon, she and Caleb took many flyfishing trips over the years in New Mexico, Wyoming and Montana. They bought a small mountain cabin when their children were young and had many family weekends there. The cabin has been a gathering place for the family throughout the years, and it was there that she and her husband instilled a love of nature, life and fishing in their children. Thanks to their son Caleb who worked as a fishing guide in Argentina, they discovered Patagonia and were able to fish its rivers and lakes. She caught many a trophy trout there, and best of all became good friends with the families that ran the fishing operation.

Sidney was also devoted to her friends from Middlebury College, as well as the school itself. She religiously attended their Alumni College to further expand her knowledge and keep her friendships strong.

Sidney and Caleb enjoyed traveling together, this included a few trips with their friends Hope and Ed who led educational journeys all over the world. Sidney also loved playing bridge with her friends. The best part of every game was the social connection and companionship that they all shared. Her life was measured by her beloved dogs that were part of the family from the very beginning. First were the Basset Hounds, Higgins, Josephine and Addie. Then the Wheaton Terrier mixes they adopted from Humane Colorado, Gussie, Sheilagh, and finally Honey, who misses her greatly.

Sidney's siblings, Olivia Howe, and Jonathan Brock predeceased her. She is survived by her husband Caleb and three children, nephews, Matthew and Brock Howe, Sidney and Lee Brock and by nieces, Carrie and Genevieve Howe, and Thurston Brock. Her grandchildren are Samantha Kassler Kadin, Ned Porter, Caleb Gates IV and August Gates. Her great grandchildren are Jeremy Brock Kadin and Ari Jacob Kadin.

A Celebration of Life will be held on May 22, 2026 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm at The Denver Country Club 1700 E 1st Ave, Denver, CO 80218. Contributions may be made in her name to the Nicholas Gates Scholarship at Kent Denver School, Middlebury College , and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver .